Methods and materials for treating, detecting, and reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for treating Alzheimer's Disease in a subject and for preventing or inhibiting the development of Alzheimer's Disease in a subject. The methods include administering, to the subject, a material which decreases insulin resistance. Also disclosed is a composition which includes a material that decreases insulin resistance and an antidepressant/anti-anxiety drug. Also disclosed are articles of manufacture which include a container; a material that decreases insulin resistance disposed within the container; and a label affixed to the container and/or an insert disposed in the container, where the label and/or insert indicates and/or suggests that the material can be used to treat, decrease the risk for development of, and/or inhibit the development of Alzheimer's Disease and/or one or more clinical features of Alzheimer's Disease.

1 . A method for treating Alzheimer's Disease in a subject, said method comprising: 
 administering, to the subject, a material which decreases insulin resistance.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is one which decreases insulin resistance by improving insulin sensitivity.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is one which decreases insulin resistance by improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a PPARγ agonist.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a thiazolidinedione.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a glitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a rosiglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is rosiglitazone maleate.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is a pioglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material is pioglitazone hydrochloride.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises: 
 administering an antidepressant/anti-anxiety drug to the subject.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is selected from a mouse, a rat, a dog, and a human.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject suffers from HPA axis dysfunction.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject does not suffer from HPA axis dysfunction.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject suffers from spatial learning deficits.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject does not suffer from spatial learning deficits.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject exhibits increased amyloid β-peptide levels.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject does not exhibit increased amyloid β-peptide levels.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject suffers from type II diabetes.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject does not suffer from type II diabetes.  
     
     
         21 . A method for preventing or inhibiting the development of Alzheimer's Disease in a subject, said method comprising: 
 administering, to the subject, a material which decreases insulin resistance.    
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is one which decreases insulin resistance by improving insulin sensitivity.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is one which decreases insulin resistance by improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is a PPARγ agonist.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is a thiazolidinedione.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is a glitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is a rosiglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is rosiglitazone maleate.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is a pioglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the material is pioglitazone hydrochloride.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said method further comprises: 
 administering an antidepressant/anti-anxiety drug to the subject.    
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject is selected from a mouse, a rat, a dog, and a human.  
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject suffers from HPA axis dysfunction.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject does not suffer from HPA axis dysfunction.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject suffers from spatial learning deficits.  
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject does not suffer from spatial learning deficits.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject exhibits increased amyloid β-peptide levels.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject does not exhibit increased amyloid β-peptide levels.  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject suffers from type II diabetes.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the subject does not suffer from type II diabetes.  
     
     
         41 . A composition comprising: 
 a material which decreases insulin resistance; and    an antidepressant/anti-anxiety drug.    
     
     
         42 . A composition according to  claim 41 , wherein the material which decreases insulin resistance is rosiglitazone maleate.  
     
     
         43 . A composition according to  claim 41 , wherein the material which decreases insulin resistance is pioglitazone hydrochloride.  
     
     
         44 . An article of manufacture comprising: 
 a container;    a material which decreases insulin resistance disposed within the container; and    a label affixed to said container and/or an insert disposed in said container, wherein said label and/or insert indicates and/or suggests that said material can be used to treat, decrease the risk for development of, and/or inhibit the development of Alzheimer's Disease and/or one or more clinical features of Alzheimer's Disease.    
     
     
         45 . An article of manufacture according to  claim 44 , wherein said material comprises a thiazolidinedione.  
     
     
         46 . An article of manufacture according to  claim 44 , wherein said material comprises a glitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         47 . An article of manufacture according to  claim 44 , wherein said material comprises a rosiglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         48 . An article of manufacture according to  claim 44 , wherein said material comprises rosiglitazone maleate.  
     
     
         49 . An article of manufacture according to  claim 44 , wherein said material comprises a pioglitazone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or adduct thereof.  
     
     
         50 . An article of manufacture according to  claim 44 , wherein said material comprises pioglitazone hydrochloride.  
     
     
         51 . A method for assessing a test compound's ability to decrease insulin resistance, said method comprising: 
 administering the test compound to a Tg2576 mouse; and    evaluating whether the Tg2576 mouse exhibits a decrease in insulin resistance.    
     
     
         52 . A method for detecting Alzheimer's Disease in a subject or for assessing a subject's risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease, said method comprising: 
 assessing insulin resistance in the subject, wherein a high level of insulin resistance is indicative of the presence of Alzheimer's Disease or of an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease.    
     
     
         53 . A method for assessing a subject's risk for developing memory impairment and/or abnormal stress responses, said method comprising: 
 assessing insulin resistance in the subject, wherein a high level of insulin resistance is indicative of an increased risk for developing memory impairment and/or abnormal stress responses.    
     
     
         54 . A method for improving spatial learning or for inhibiting spatial learning deficits in a subject, said method comprising: 
 administering, to the subject, a material which decreases insulin resistance.    
     
     
         55 . A method for reducing or inhibiting the development of memory impairment or for improving memory in a subject, said method comprising: 
 administering, to the subject, a material which decreases insulin resistance.